Santiago fisterra in three days

New Member

Hola peregrinos!
After a fantastic three week camino from Bilbao to Santiago last summer, we have decided to attempt a three day camino to Fisterra at the end of July! We arrive at santiago airport early on a monday morning and depart from santiago very early the following Thursday. We have a few questions:

1. Is it worth getting the credentials? We want to get started walking as soon as possible on arrival and wont have much time to spare leaving Fisterra - can you get certificates in Fisterra? Are there long queues? The experience and journey are more important to us than a bit of paper but it would be nice if it wasn't time intrusive...

2. We are concerned about getting back to the airport for our 7am flight. Our thoughts are to travel back to SDC as late as we can on the wednesday but monbus have only two journeys per day on their website, the latest being 7pm. I'd worry about arriving in fisterra and having no time to enjoy it, or that we don't make the bus as there are too many peregrinos - we don't want to arrive and then wait at a bus stop in order to secure a place, wasting time. How much might a taxi be from fisterra to Santiago? Would one be easy to hire?
If it is similar to an overnight hotel we might consider taxiing direct to airport and crashing there a few hours pre flight, allowing us to enjoy fisterra. (We arent over keen on staying or spending time in Santiago).

I think that's all for the moment! We've walked long days previously so are aware of the three day challenge... Our craziest was Laredo to Santander in one day (including ferries!).

Veteran Member

You can get your Fisterrana at the municipal albergue in Fisterra. There was no queue when I was there last year, but I'm sure it depends on the time of day and how many pilgrims are there to check into the albergue or get their certificate.

Active Member

Last year there was a bus strike, and we took a taxi back from Finisterre, divided between the 4 of us, it was cheaper than the bus. We loved Finisterre and would have spent more time there if possible.

Off topic : After not being in a car for weeks, we were all completely freaked out by the speed of car travel after nothing but walking for weeks

New Member

Last year there was a bus strike, and we took a taxi back from Finisterre, divided between the 4 of us, it was cheaper than the bus. We loved Finisterre and would have spent more time there if possible.

Off topic : After not being in a car for weeks, we were all completely freaked out by the speed of car travel after nothing but walking for weeks

Active Member

It was 90 Euros, and we asked our albergue to call for us. We had to wait about 40 minutes. If you pre-book it would be better. We expected the fee to be more as with the bus strike we didn't have a lot of options.

Veteran Member

I have been in the Compostela office an hour or so before a bus departure from Fisterre and it was busy. But remember that not many actually do this camino. On the other side, 2018 is expected to be another record year.

For me, Muxia is more important and my plan is to go to Muxia and finally Fisterre. Compostelas can be acquired at both locations. But, as mentioned above, a Credenciel is required. Why not order in advance of the trip and have it mailed? No waiting in Santiago.

New Member

As mentioned before, I've just came back from Finisterre and it was amazing!

We started in Santiago on Friday morning, the weather wasn't helping but we endured!
The first stage is "short" and now, having done it, I would stretch it a bit, from Negreira to A Pena. Instead of 21km (Santiago - Finisterre), we should have done 29 (Santiago - A Pena).
In Negreira the Albergue Municipal was full and we stayed at the Albergue El Carmen.

Saturday we were feeling good, it wasn't raining, and we stretched it a bit. Instead of Oliveiroa, we stayed in Hospital, at the Albergue o Casteliño, which was really nice. We ended up with a 38.5km stage.

On Sunday we got up really early and by 11am we were in Cee. We took it easy afterwards and got to Finisterre by 5pm. It was an amazing feeling!
We got back to Playa Langosteira and a couple of friends went for a (very cold) bath in the ocean!

We took a taxi back to Santiago (the bus takes 3h, leaves at 7pm so we thought it wasn't worth it) and stayed at the Seminario Mayor.

After having done the Camino Inglés, I actually prefer Santiago-Finisterre. The views, the trails... There are fewer places to stop and eat and drink, but it feels more authentic.

New Member

As mentioned before, I've just came back from Finisterre and it was amazing!

We started in Santiago on Friday morning, the weather wasn't helping but we endured!
The first stage is "short" and now, having done it, I would stretch it a bit, from Negreira to A Pena. Instead of 21km (Santiago - Finisterre), we should have done 29 (Santiago - A Pena).
In Negreira the Albergue Municipal was full and we stayed at the Albergue El Carmen.

Saturday we were feeling good, it wasn't raining, and we stretched it a bit. Instead of Oliveiroa, we stayed in Hospital, at the Albergue o Casteliño, which was really nice. We ended up with a 38.5km stage.

On Sunday we got up really early and by 11am we were in Cee. We took it easy afterwards and got to Finisterre by 5pm. It was an amazing feeling!
We got back to Playa Langosteira and a couple of friends went for a (very cold) bath in the ocean!

We took a taxi back to Santiago (the bus takes 3h, leaves at 7pm so we thought it wasn't worth it) and stayed at the Seminario Mayor.

After having done the Camino Inglés, I actually prefer Santiago-Finisterre. The views, the trails... There are fewer places to stop and eat and drink, but it feels more authentic.

I think I still have the taxi's number if you want it, we got in Cee and just called him to book it.
It was 90€, but we were 5 people, so it was a 7 seat taxi. Don't know if the smaller ones are cheaper...